'68 Owners Please Check Something

[Terry B.]

I have always admired some of the "extras" that the '69 model have had over the '68. I noticed when I purchased my '68 (nine years ago this month) that the side louvers had small holes for the chrome louver insets. The holes were much smaller than an original attaching screw/bolt would need. I am asking for other '68 owners to check their side louvers to see if they have this holes.

I have had the '68 judged a number of times but never lost points for these small holes on the louver. So you probably guessed I bought the chrome louvers and put them on the car. I think they look good. I was careful not to make the hole larger as I might want to remove them for future judging. That brings up another issue, were the chrome louvers just a '69 option? I think I know the answer to that one.

Thanks in advance for checking and any comments.

Terry

[Tony Z.]

Re: '68 Owners Please Check Something

Terry,

Side louvers were a '69 only item. My 68 *does not* have holes drilled into the "gills". I have seen other '68's and none of them had holes either. A previous owner may have had the trim added at one point in it's life and they were removed later.

[Joe L.]

Re: '68 Owners Please Check Something

Terry,

Side louvers were a '69 only item. My 68 *does not* have holes drilled into the "gills". I have seen other '68's and none of them had holes either. A previous owner may have had the trim added at one point in it's life and they were removed later.

Tony and Terry-----


Definitely. The TJ-2 louver trim was not an option for 1968 Corvettes. Neither 1968 or 1969 Corvettes without the option had the holes pre-drilled. The holes were ADDED at St. Louis when the TJ-2 louver trim was installed.

[Kurt B.]

Re: '68 Owners Please Check Something

No holes on my 68 either
Kurt

[Jeff G.]

Re: '68 Owners Please Check Something

Interesting discussion, I wasn't aware that 68 didn't have that option. I never payed attention I guess. I would bet though that more 69's have louvers now than originaly left the factory.

On another similar subject, I've read in several places how the 68 was not popular when it first hit the market for a couple reasons. The first was due to a perceived quality problem and the second being that the departure from C2 was not a popular decision. I know Delorean seperated Corvette from the normal reporting chain to overcome this negative perception. Did the 68 really have initial quality problems or is that a myth?
Jeff

[Joe L.]

Re: '68 Owners Please Check Something

Interesting discussion, I wasn't aware that 68 didn't have that option. I never payed attention I guess. I would bet though that more 69's have louvers now than originaly left the factory.

On another similar subject, I've read in several places how the 68 was not popular when it first hit the market for a couple reasons. The first was due to a perceived quality problem and the second being that the departure from C2 was not a popular decision. I know Delorean seperated Corvette from the normal reporting chain to overcome this negative perception. Did the 68 really have initial quality problems or is that a myth?
Jeff

Jeff-----


You got one right but definitely not the other. There were quality problems with 68's, the first of the C3 generation. Just like there were quality problems with 63's, the first of the C2 generation.

However, there was DEFINITELY not a problem with the "departure from C2". Quite the contrary. When the 68's were introduced, 63-67 Corvettes were instantly "dog meat". They were drastically "dated" by the new body style. Most folks who bought 67's were greatly disappointed that their cars became instantly "obsolete".

Nowadays, a lot of folks have great reverence for 63-67's. There weren't too many folks thinking that way in 1968, though. In fact, during most of the C3 years, 63-67 Corvettes could be bought on the used market for "peanuts". Because these cars were so cheap, they could actually be found on "pot lots" where they were sold to 'ner-do-wells who used and abused them. These are the same cars that people are paying Big $$$$ for now.

[Ron L.]

Re: '68 Owners Please Check Something

Jeff-----


You got one right but definitely not the other. There were quality problems with 68's, the first of the C3 generation. Just like there were quality problems with 63's, the first of the C2 generation.

However, there was DEFINITELY not a problem with the "departure from C2". Quite the contrary. When the 68's were introduced, 63-67 Corvettes were instantly "dog meat". They were drastically "dated" by the new body style. Most folks who bought 67's were greatly disappointed that their cars became instantly "obsolete".

Nowadays, a lot of folks have great reverence for 63-67's. There weren't too many folks thinking that way in 1968, though. In fact, during most of the C3 years, 63-67 Corvettes could be bought on the used market for "peanuts". Because these cars were so cheap, they could actually be found on "pot lots" where they were sold to 'ner-do-wells who used and abused them. These are the same cars that people are paying Big $$$$ for now.

Quality Problems??? uh yea you could say that....the car review magazine writers told GM....no thanks, and refused to drive the the cars they were given to review, the quality was so horrid. Now thats cold.

As much as I love these cars, if youre really honest about it, all corvettes were not exactly the work of craftsmen.

I had a 68 427, and it was nothing but a pain in the a$$, plagued with problems.

[Jeff G.]

Re: '68 Owners Please Check Something

Interesting bit of retrospect there Joe. That period of history could easily be forgotten if it didn't get brought up in forums like this. Hey, I can't remember seeing you post without a part number in there..
Jeff

[Jim T.]

Re: '68 Owners Please Check Something

My original owner 68 has no holes in the louvers.
I think the 69 optional side louver trim looks good.
The 68's were not the only Corvettes with a "only for model year" feature.

[Joe L.]

Re: '68 Owners Please Check Something

My original owner 68 has no holes in the louvers.
I think the 69 optional side louver trim looks good.
The 68's were not the only Corvettes with a "only for model year" feature.

Jim-----


The 1969 TJ-2 louver trim moldings have been continuously available from GM from 1969 right through to the present time. The left side is GM #3945247 and the right side is GM #3945248. Four of each are required and these things GM list for about 75 bucks, each. So, at list price, it would cost someone about 600 bucks to "adorn" their 68 or, if not originally so-equipped, 69. I'm not one of those folks, though. If GM was selling these things for $50 a car-set, you wouldn't catch me buying a set and installing them on my car. In fact, if someone gave me a set for FREE, they would never go on my 69. Never. Ever.

[Bill I.]

Re: '68 Owners Please Check Something

Quality problems? Let me relate a story to you. Back in 69 or so, while cruising around, I met a girl driving a 68. At that time I had a 66 coupe. Asked her if we could take a ride with me driving.
The moment I sat in the drivers seat I did not like it, too big up front, too wide. Drove about 10 miles and said thanks, went to open the door, no way, knob just went back free style. Yes there were problems. She later told me a clip on the linkage fell off. Damm good thing it didn't catch on fire and trying to exit in a hurry. Bill.

[Bryan M.]

Re: '68 Owners Please Check Something

Quality problems? Let me relate a story to you. Back in 69 or so, while cruising around, I met a girl driving a 68. At that time I had a 66 coupe. Asked her if we could take a ride with me driving.
The moment I sat in the drivers seat I did not like it, too big up front, too wide. Drove about 10 miles and said thanks, went to open the door, no way, knob just went back free style. Yes there were problems. She later told me a clip on the linkage fell off. Damm good thing it didn't catch on fire and trying to exit in a hurry. Bill.

With essentially the same people building the C2s and C3s, who should get the blame for the quality problems on the 68.

[Jack C.]

Re: '68 Owners Please Check Something

No holes on my original early 68.

[Paul H.]

Re: '68 Owners Please Check Something

Quality Problems??? uh yea you could say that....the car review magazine writers told GM....no thanks, and refused to drive the the cars they were given to review, the quality was so horrid. Now thats cold.

As much as I love these cars, if youre really honest about it, all corvettes were not exactly the work of craftsmen.

I had a 68 427, and it was nothing but a pain in the a$$, plagued with problems.

Interestingly, I consider my 68 427 probably the nicest Corvette I have owned. I think alot of the bad rap 68's got was due to early cars given to the car mags to review that weren't ready for prime time, to say the least. Later examples were far less problematic than those early cars provided to the press for review.

Any issues with 68's have surely been sorted out by owners over the years. I actually prefer my 68 to my mid-year. No holes in the louvers on my 68.

[Joe T.]

Re: '68 Owners Please Check Something

I would have to agree with Mr. Lucia, although its only my opinion. However, I note that the inside of the louvers are "blacked out" with a semi-gloss or flat paint on mine. Is that how it came from the factory. The paint job ins't that great either, with some silver body color overspray into the louver...joe